View full sizeBRUCE GEISELMAN/SUN NEWSZach Fechter, Avon Lake High School student, was one of the younger Romney supporters at the rally.

AVON LAKE - An estimated 2,900 people turned out to hear Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s campaign speech at Avon Lake High School Monday, and the gym appeared to be packed with diehard Romney supporters.

The crowd had to endure rain, chilly temperatures and, in some cases, long walks to get to the rally.

One of the younger supporters was Zach Fechter, 15, an Avon Lake High School sophomore who has volunteered more than 200 hours with the local Romney campaign, including helping set up the gym for the rally, which was scheduled at the last minute.

“I feel like there are not enough adults who are taking the initiative to learn and care about what is going on,” Zach said when asked why he was getting involved in politics years before he can vote. “I really feel that Mitt’s path is the way to go.”

He added that regardless of which candidate one supports, voters should educate themselves about the candidates and issues.

“I think no matter who you’re voting for — Democratic Party, Republican Party, Socialist Party, whatever party it is — it’s important that you’re educated,” he said. “There are people in Middle Eastern countries that can’t do this. It’s important to express your beliefs.”

Zach said the United States needs an economic overhaul.

View full sizeSandra Hales of North Ridgeville went to her first political rally.

Sandra Hales, of North Ridgeville, attended her first political rally this week. She owns a florist shop and greenhouse.

“I’ve voted Democrat, but I’m definitely changing,” she said. “We’ve operated a small business for 60 years, and our business has definitely suffered under this administration. We need a change.”

Avon Lake resident Caroline Benedum said she favors Mitt Romney’s positions on reducing business regulations and less-stringent environmental regulations. She expressed concern about the planned closure in 2015 of the coal-burning GeOn Energy plant in Avon Lake. The company has announced plans to close the plant because of the costs of complying with new environmental regulations.

View full sizeCaroline Benedum of Avon Lake said she favors Romney's business policies.

“It’ll have a huge impact on the community as far as taxes are concerned,” Benedum said. “Our schools will suffer. There’s no need for it. We can do just fine with that coal plant. It brings in a huge amount of revenue into our city, and without it, we’re going to have levy after levy for the schools and our home taxes are going to be raised.”

Kearsten Kopf said she wanted to experience a presidential campaign rally.

“It’s a really awesome experience,” the Avon Lake resident said. “It’s not too often a presidential candidate comes to our little town. It’s very exciting. I think no matter what side you’re on, you want to make sure you see something like this.”

Kevin and Michelle Knight, an Avon Lake couple, said they wanted to attend the rally

View full sizeKevin and Michelle Knight, of North Ridgeville, said this is one of the most important elections in the nation's history.

because of the importance of the upcoming election.

“This is going to be the most important election probably since the Civil War,” Kevin Knight said. “I have a feeling this man could be the next George Washington and really turn this country around.”

His wife voiced similar opinions.

“I see things taking a very bad turn if we don’t turn things around very soon,” she said. “My kids are a junior and a senior in high school here. They’re going to be getting their lives off the ground in the next four years, and I want them to have a good shot at being able to do that.”

Eduardo Fallada, an industrial firefighter at Lubrizol plant in Avon Lake and an Elyria resident, brought his 11-year-old grandson with him to the rally so he could see a campaign rally and the political process at work, Fallada said.

He added he favors Romney’s policies on reducing taxes and government regulation.

Avon Lake school board President Chuck Froehlich attended the rally, saying it offered high school students a fantastic educational opportunity to see the political process up close.

“For young people where who are just getting to the age where they can vote, to be able to see how the process works is key,” Froehlich said. “I think this is a big educational opportunity for them.”

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